There are many shades to summer—including literal shade from the sun. In other words, the season is not all beach trips and pool parties. Sydney alt-pop star MAY-A charts some of summer’s quieter, more chill moments with this playlist, balancing seize-the-moment classics like Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day” and The Smashing Pumpkins’ “1979” with a thrumming cross-section of new talent and plenty of lush, self-reflective dream-pop. “These are songs I like to vibe out to at the end of a packed summer day, hanging out in the shade with a beer and some mates,” MAY-A tells Apple Music. “No words; just the music. Hope you feel a sense of chill and can sit back and enjoy the songs from a shady place for a good wind-down.” Find yourself a comfy spot and bliss out to these selections, and read on to see which track she likes to blast at top volume in the car. Cocteau Twins, “Cherry-Coloured Funk” “This has been my absolute go-to song for the past few months. It gives me a sense of sad nostalgia with a mix of appreciation and fulfilment in my life. I could cry, laugh, dance or scream to this song. A perfect fit for a soundtrack to your life. To me it is 100% about how the melodies make me feel rather than what they’re actually saying, which is rare for someone who highly prioritises lyrics.” Arlo Parks, “Caroline” “The linear storytelling in this song is incredible. I can see everything she’s describing in the lyrics in my own brain. The flow of the song is impossible not to love.” Deb Never, “Disassociate” “It was hard to pick just one Deb Never song. But if I’d added more than one, the entire album would be in here. I think she’s absolutely incredible and creating a space for herself in a sound that I haven’t seen many women pursue. Her lyrics are relatable and honest, the beat is catchy and I hang onto every single word.” Spacey Jane, “Lots of Nothing” “I have so many summer memories of driving with all of the windows down, blowing my speakers out and screaming to this—not a care in the world.”